Gamel won’t play in Fall League

The Brewers have decided on a cautious approach with rehabbing first baseman Mat Gamel, who will not be quite ready to play in the upcoming Arizona Fall League.

Gamel suffered a torn ACL on May 1, underwent surgery and has been recovering ever since. He recently began swinging and taking ground balls at first base and fly balls in the outfield, and the Brewers considered asking for an exemption from Major League Baseball to add Gamel to the AFL. He has Major League service time in excess of the league’s usual standard.

But that possibility was always incumbent on Gamel’s knee being strong enough to play by Oct. 9, when the league begins play. Outfielder Josh Prince will take the spot earmarked for Gamel instead.

“Matt has not made enough progress physically to meet the timeline of the AFL,” assistant general manager Gord Ash wrote in an email. “His plan is to continue to rehab and look to get at bats in the Dominican later in the season. He is making progress; we just don’t want to rush him back to meet the AFL requirements.”

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.